NZDF expands support for Nelson emergency response
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is expanding its support for the emergency response to the Nelson bushfire, sending 18 Army chefs to cook for the firefighters and emergency response personnel involved in tackling the blaze.
Commodore Tony Millar, the Acting Commander Joint Forces, said the chefs and two mobile kitchens were being sent on Saturday morning from Burnham Military Camp and would be setting up at Richmond.
“They will be serving hot meals to the hundreds of personnel involved in the emergency response,” Commodore Millar said.
About 50 additional NZDF personnel have been sent since this morning to help evacuate about 3000 Wakefield residents and enforce police cordons in affected areas.
In addition, a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft would fly about 50 police to Nelson late on Friday, Commodore Millar said.
Since Wednesday, 93 NZDF personnel and three fire trucks have been sent to support the emergency response to the Nelson bushfire.
